Irish children's author arrested in UK over support for "Palestine Action"

• Irish writer and illustrator Chris Haughton was arrested in London for holding a placard reading "I support Palestine Action" and is awaiting trial.
• Haughton, Ireland's national children's laureate for 2026–2029, described the arrests as "absurd."
• At least 28 Irish citizens were among those arrested in connection with Palestine Action by the end of June 2026, according to British government figures.

Irish children's author and illustrator Chris Haughton has been arrested in the United Kingdom under anti-terrorism legislation for publicly expressing support for Palestine Action, The Irish Times reported.

Haughton, who lives in London, was arrested during a demonstration after holding a placard reading "I support Palestine Action." He is now awaiting trial for allegedly expressing support for a proscribed organization.

"There’s 4,000 of us that have been arrested now," Haughton told The Irish Times, describing the arrests as "absurd."

Haughton was appointed Ireland's national children's laureate, known as Laureate na nÓg, for the 2026–2029 term.

Palestine Action was officially designated a terrorist organization by the British government on July 5, 2025, making membership and expressions of support for the group criminal offenses under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The designation followed a series of direct-action operations targeting companies linked to the 'Israeli' arms industry, including Elbit Systems facilities in Britain.

According to British Home Office figures, 3,867 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related activity in the year ending June 2026. Of these, 3,630 arrests were linked to alleged support for Palestine Action.

Only 632 people arrested in connection with the group had been charged by the time the figures were compiled, while 2,936 had been released on bail or under investigation.

The Irish Times reported that 28 Irish citizens were among those arrested in connection with Palestine Action by the end of June 2026, making Irish nationals the largest group of non-British nationals arrested in terrorism-related cases during that period.

The ban has faced mounting legal challenges from civil liberties advocates and Palestine Action supporters.

On November 4, the UK Supreme Court began hearing a challenge brought by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, who argues that the government's decision to proscribe the organization was disproportionate.

A High Court ruling had previously found the ban unlawful in February 2026, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in June.

During the Supreme Court proceedings, lawyers representing Palestine Action argued that only three of the group's 385 actions over five years met the legal definition of terrorism, and those involved property damage rather than violence against individuals.

The British government maintains that the group's activities, including serious damage to property, justified its designation under anti-terrorism legislation. A ruling from the Supreme Court is expected in January 2027.

Despite his arrest, Haughton has continued to express support for the group.

He has pledged to donate proceeds from his children's books to Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who has also committed proceeds from her literary work to Palestine Action.

Rooney's books were subsequently removed from sale by some UK retailers following controversy over her pledge.

Haughton said he viewed his arrest as a badge of honor, adding that holding a placard exposed what he considers the absurdity of the organization's proscription.